Setting off on a well-oiled mountain bike, pedal way out of downtown Kathmandu reaching the outskirts. Invigorated with an infusion of unpolluted air, head to Cho bar hill. The area is subject to interesting folklore involving the creation of the Kathmandu valley out of a lake. Far behind is the city of Kathmandu.
The rugged biking trail poses an interesting challenge heading to one of the oldest parts of Kathmandu Valley - the historic town of Kirtipur (1.5 hr approx). The raw originality of the place is sure to amaze and enthrall. Break the day’s sojourn at an authentic local eatery where traditionally clad locals spread out their ethnic cuisine. Enjoy the local delicacies local style - sitting on a straw mat with very traditional and local cutlery - your own fingers! Taste buds satisfied and cultural awareness heightened, slowly bike back to the city (1hr approx).
One of the best place to enjoy the delicious Nepali food is Krishnarpan Restaurant located at Dwarika's Hotel, east of the centre near the ring road. The atmosphere here is superb and the food served here gets consistent praise from diners. They have a fixed menu 6 course meal served for dinner. Bookings in advance are advisable in order to avoid waiting. On Fridays, there is also a dance show conducted at 6pm, hence an early arrival is requested in case one wishes to witness the performance.
Live the high life in the foothills of the Himalayas with a fascinating hike to Chapakot from Pokhara. Surrounded by verdant valleys, snowcapped peaks, rare flora and fauna and scenic landscapes, the panorama before your eyes gets better and better with each step forward. This is the great outdoors like you’ve never seem them before.
Head west in the morning to the rustic hamlet of Pame, which is about 45 minutes by road from Pokhara. Pame is a typical Nepalese farming community surrounded by many rice and paddy fields. Depending on the season, you can see the villagers working on the land as they water, plant or cut the paddy. It’s a fascinating sight to see the farmers carrying out this backbreaking work, which is one of the few activities that are performed today much like theyr were before the advent of agricultural technology.
From Pame, follow the River Harpan upstream. Most of the farmers depend on the river as they canalise the water to irrigate their fields. The river means life to them. The Harpan flows into the majestic Lake Phewa on which Pokhara is built. Follow the river for a while as you continue along the plains before beginning the hike uphill. The higher you go, the greater the number of small farming villages that you will cross. With every step upward, Pokhara, Lake Phewa Lake and the Himalayan peaks will come into focus on the horizon. Once on the peak, begin the return to Pokhara on the south side of the Lake Phewa.
Situated beyond the southern belt of Ring Road inside the valley Bungamati is a small Newari village still abiding by its ancient tradition as a significant part of daily life. Very less influenced by the modern city just a few kilometers away, Bungamati exemplifies true heritage of the still living age-old culture and civilization. The journey to Bungamati starts with a vantage point where one can behold the entire village of Bungamati and Khokana. Walking down the lanes of Bungamati, you will pass through local Newari people busy working intricate designs in wood or stone on their way to creating many more beautiful artifacts practicing their crafts for the future generations to enjoy.
Continue to Khokana, which is known to have retained many traditional aspects of Newari life. It is famous for producing mustard oil. There is no central square, as in the Bungamati, but there is plenty of action in the main street and has a temple with two-tiered construction of interest, dedicated to Shekali Mai a mother goddess. Post completion of the tour, you shall be transferred back to your hotel of stay.
In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel by your guide. If you are staying overnight in Thamel, we will start our walk here with a 50 minutes’ walk to the north-west of Kathmandu. At the outskirts of Kathmandu we will enter the Nagarjuna forest. We will hike up to the Nagarjuna peak (Jamacho Peak) in about 2 and half hours. This peak is named after Nagarjuna who had his residence in a cave during meditation. Nowadays this peak is a popular pilgrimage place and due to the view tower at the top attracts many day-trippers. The view tower offers a stunning view on the Langtang Range and of course the Kathmandu Valley located in the south. After having lunch at the peak we will hike down through the pristine forests. (Hiking Time: 5 - 6 hours).
Meeting/ Pick up point: Hotel.
Duration: 7 hours.
Start or opening time: 9.00am.
End or closing time: 4.00pm.
Includes: Lunch, entrance fees, English Speaking Guide.
Meet up with your guide and walk to the nearest bus-stand (20 mins approx). Jump on local transport to one of the holiest temples for Hindus all around the world- Pashupatinath (20 mins approx). Join your guide through the spiritual journey as they provide an insight into the Hindu religion, the cycle of birth and death and the story behind the Sadhus - Hindu Holy Men, who renounce their hedonistic social life to devote their life to Shiva (Hindu God of Destruction) to whom the temple is dedicated. Witness one of many cremations along the banks of Bagmati river and on the sanctimonious grounds of temple. Interact with soot-smeared, saffron-clad, dreadlocked Sadhus.
Spiritually high, travel by local transport to reach the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal (possibly, in the world). Follow the pilgrims circumventing the Stupa spinning the prayer wheels. Offer prayers to Lord Buddha lighting a traditional butter lamp at the main entry way to the Stupa. Converse with one of the resident monks and learn more about the Buddhist philosophy.
Food for thought, time to fill the stomach! Lunch at a roof-top restaurant commanding an enticing view of the Stupa. Following lunch walk in to the abode of one of the most sought after astrologers in Nepal. Be amazed by how he deconstructs the mystery that is you and your future. Return a transformed person!
Zip flyer is the one of attractive adventure activities in Nepal and has been attracting tourists with different opportunities of adventure sports, has ushered in yet another new product for adventure tourism.
With an incline of 56 degree, total length of 1.8 km and a vertical drop of 600 meters, it is the tallest, the longest and the steepest zip line in the whole world. Located in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, no zip line ever made comes even close to this.
See and feel Pokhara from a different perspective on this Pokhara hiking tour. Head out on a local transport to the outlying hills, Naudanda, literally meaning 'nine hills'. It'll take us about an hour to get there, but you'll be rewarded with the soft relief of the gently rolling chain of hills with their rice fields in terraces, and subtropical forests.
Oh, and the silhouette of the Himalayas! Can't forget those! Imposing on the landscape from a mere 30 kilometres away, this place certainly has an appealing look. A walk through this charming land transports you to a total contrast, far-removed from where you started your day. From one village to another and one hill to another, we'll hike for about three hours until we reach Sarangkot, a vantage point on top of a hillock north of Fewa Lake, famous for its dawn and dusk views. We'll descend for two hours towards Sedi, and continue to walk along the circumference of Fewa Lake for about half an hour until we reach Lakeside, where our Pokhara hike will end and we'll be transported back to Pokhara.
Today you shall be driven to Dhulikhel, situated at an altitude of 5,500 ft above sea level, 30 km. east of Kathmandu on the Kodari Highway. It is 90 minutes’ drive from Kathmandu. The main attraction here is the view of rows of snow-capped peaks as one can have a complete panoramic view of the snow-capped ranges from Karyolung in the east to Himalchuli in the west. It is a magnificent place to spend the night and awaken to the sun rising across the wide Himalayan range.
Post completion of the tour, you shall be transferred back to your hotel of stay.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square:
As you walk in, you cannot but be overcome by a feeling of inner harmony. Such is the art and architecture and the special layout here. The Palace of 55 Windows built during the period of King Bhupatindra Malla in 1754 situated to the left as you enter through the city gate, inspires admiration. The National Art Gallery is also housed inside. The palace entrance, the Golden Gate known as Sunko Dhoka in Nepali is a masterpiece in repose art. In front of the palace, building is a medley of temples of various designs. Amongst the three Durbar Squares in the Valley, the Durbar Square in Bhaktapur is the best preserved one.
Later sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath & Bouddhanath
Pashupatinath: This is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the subcontinent’s great Shiva sites. The supreme holiness of the site stems from the Shiva lingam enshrined in its main temple and its location. It expresses the very essence of Hinduism as pilgrims, priests, devotes, temples, ashrams, images, inscriptions and cremation ghats intermingle with the rituals of daily life, all sprawled along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple’s origins are obscure, an inscription dates from 477, but a shrine may have stood here for 1000 years before that.
Bouddhanath: This great stupa is one of Nepal’s most distinctive monuments and one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal and, with a diameter of over 100 meters, amongst the largest in the world. There are a number of legends accounting for the stupa’s construction, but it is generally believed to date from the 5th century. All stupas contain holy relics and Boudha is said to contain the remains of the past Buddha Kasyapa. Boudha is a particular focus for Kathmandu’s Tibetan community and throughout the day there is a constant stream of people circling the stupa spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras. Surrounding the stupa are six major monasteries and a host of smaller ones as well as cafes, restaurants and shops selling Tibetan carpets and Newari silversmiths.